Who is Michele Gonxhe?
Hyde’s Campbell Hatton (9-0, 3KO) aims to reach double figures in his win column on March 11 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, as he goes up against winning fighter Michele Gonxhe (4-2-1).
Find out everything you need to know about Michele Gonxhe below:
Michele Gonxhe
Michele Gonxhe was born 28th September, 1991, so is currently 31-years-old.
He was born in Tione di Trento, a small town in Trentino Alto Adige in Italy but now resides in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, in southwestern Germany. By origin he is Albanian and calls himself Italo-Albanian.
His height is 5'7" (171cm).
He is nicknamed "The Albanian Rocky".
He has competed in MMA, K1 and boxing. Michele started boxing alone in his attic, then he started training in a kickboxing gym, but a foot injury in 2019 was the reason he moved over to boxing.
He trains out of Damm Power Boxing Gym with coach Gabriel Damm, a former kickboxing champion, winning the 1985 WAKO World Championships in Kickboxing in London.
He lost all four rounds to fellow debutant Ilyas Can Kali in his professional debut on February 13, 2021, in Germany. The opponent, Can Kali, has since knocked out every other opponent to reach 7-0, 6KO, and is about to enter into his first title fight.
He then drew his next fight in July 2021, then lost his third pro bout to winning fighter Umut Asici in October, so ended 2021 without a win.
Then, between May and October 2022, he won four fights in five months.
All seven of his pro fights have taken place in Germany.
Living in Germany, Michel loves a beer festival when he's not in camp.
Michele lives in Frankfurt with his son and wife, who is currently expecting another child. He spends most of his time with his family and loves reading.
Favourite football teams are Eintracht Frankfurt and A.C. Milan.
Gonxhe wants to be a great boxer and that is his reason for pushing himself to face tough opponents so early on in his career.
Instagram PageTestimonials
Part of the Damm Power Boxing Team, Evelyn Gallegos Ashby, the woman standing next to Michele in the article image, said: "Michele is a hard working, passionate boxer. He came to us a few years ago. We met in an event where we both fought. Michele and I where in the same locker and started to talk. I was fighting a mix rule bout: first round boxing, secound round kickboxing, and third round K1. When he found out we have a boxing background, he told us that boxing was his true passion, but did not know anyone who would help him.
"Gabriel Damm, who was WAKO World Champion in Kickboxing 1985 in London and also was an 140-bout amatuer boxer. I told him he was more than welcome to train with us. Michele won his fight as did I, we exchanged numbers and he has been part of our family ever since.
"It was hard at the beginning for Michele, his first fight was with a 12 hour notice and he accepted because he was hungry to fight. Although, he lost by points, I have to say he did really well, taking into account 9kg weight diffence, 12 hour notice and an experienced amatuer opponent. We were very proud of him.
"Some fighters just want to fight easy opponents, but not Michele. In June 2022 he was asked to fight against the International German Champion, John Bilenberg, who had won all his pro fights through knockout and was a good amateur. Many people advised Michele not to take the fight, they said he was not ready. He proved them all wrong, John Bilenberg was knocked down in the third round and Michele won the fight.
"This just shows the passion and heart Michele has, making the most of every challenge."
What has Cambell Hatton said?
"So normally we do about eight weeks of solid training, but for this one I’ve had a few different dates lined up. My original date was the end of January, but for different reasons it got put back.
"I had to give up my holiday over the New Year we normally go on, which ended up being a training camp. No birthday either, all working towards this date, so it ended up being a 12 week camp.
"The majority of my family have done it with my dad and Matthew, so they understand it. I think it’s hard for the little one and my missus, because it’s new to them and they don’t really understand it but it’s just one of those things.
"You get back what you put in with boxing. I’ve sacrificed absolutely everything, I haven’t had a birthday on my actual birthday since I was about 18. It’s nothing new, but it just gives you that extra motivation to go in and perform because it makes it all worth it."
Diego Pacheco vs Jack Cullen
Despite the main event fight being cancelled after Callum Smith suffered an injury in training, the show must go on with Diego Pacheco’s WBO International Super-Middleweight Title showdown with Jack Cullen and Robbie Davies Jr’s Super-Lightweight fight with Darragh Foley now co-headlining, live on DAZN.
Pacheco (17-0, 14 KOs), one of the hottest prospects in American boxing, looks to impress on his first appearance in the UK, stepping-up against Little Lever’sCullen (21-3-1, 9 KOs) in what promises to be an all-action battle.
Davies Jr (23-3, 15 KOs) was set to square off with Australia’s Liam Paro but will now face late stand-in opponent Foley (21-4-1, 9 KOs) over ten rounds, and the Australia-based Irishman arrives in Liverpool brimming with confidence following four straight wins.
Romford Heavyweight sensation Johnny Fisher (7-0, 6 KOs) takes ‘The Romford Bull’ Army to Liverpool for the first time as he faces Italy’s Alfonso Damiani (6-2, 2 KOs) over eight rounds and decorated amateur star turned Super-Bantamweight prospect Peter McGrail (6-0, 5 KOs) makes his highly anticipated Matchroom debut.
Warrington Lightweight talent Rhiannon Dixon (7-0) squares off with Wombourne’s Vicky Wilkinson (5-0-1) for the Commonwealth Title, Oldham’s Aqib Fiaz (10-0) takes on Yeovil’s Dean Dodge (9-2-1, 3 KOs) over eight rounds at Super-Featherweight, Chester Middleweight Paddy Lacey (7-0, 1 KO) and Billericay Middleweight George Liddard (1-0, 1 KO).
Refunds for tickets purchased for the March 11 event are available from the original point of purchase.
Article sponsored by HÖRFA
